The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar has ordered the confiscation by the State of all movable and immovable property belonging to the 15 individuals convicted in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

The order was issued by the three-member Trial-at-Bar alongside lengthy terms of rigorous imprisonment imposed on the 15 convicts following the conclusion of the long-running case.

Five of the accused were sentenced to 200 years’ imprisonment each, while another five were sentenced to 220 years each. Four others were handed 240-year prison terms, while one accused was sentenced to 260 years of rigorous imprisonment.

In addition to the prison sentences, the court ordered that the movable and immovable property belonging to all 15 convicts be confiscated by the State.

The convictions relate to charges including conspiring to carry out the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, aiding and abetting the attacks and engaging in extremist activities and the propagation of extremist ideology.

The Easter Sunday attacks took place on April 21, 2019, when a series of suicide bombings targeted churches and hotels in several parts of Sri Lanka. More than 250 people were killed and hundreds more were injured in the coordinated attacks, which shocked the country and drew international attention.

The subsequent investigations led to a series of criminal cases against individuals suspected of having links to the extremist network responsible for the attacks.

In the main case heard before the Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar, more than 23,270 charges had been filed against the accused. The charges included allegations relating to conspiracy, aiding and abetting, murder, attempted murder and offences involving firearms, explosives and other activities connected to the attacks.

The court had earlier ordered the acquittal and release of nine of the accused in the case. The remaining 15 were found guilty and subsequently sentenced.